University of Bern facts for kids
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Universität Bern
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| Latin: Universitas Bernensis | |
| Type | Public (cantonal) |
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| Established | 1834 |
| Budget | CHF 939 million (third-party funds: CHF 367 million) |
| Rector | Christian Leumann |
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Academic staff
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529 professors |
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Administrative staff
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1,874 |
| Students | 19,297 (female enrollment: 59%) |
| Address |
Hochschulstrasse 6
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3012
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| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | White Red Blue |
| Affiliations | Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, |
The University of Bern is a big public university in Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. It was started in 1834. This university is special because it offers many different subjects. It has eight main departments, called faculties, and about 150 smaller institutes. With around 19,000 students, it's one of the largest universities in Switzerland.
Contents
How the University Works
The University of Bern is organized into three main parts: the university as a whole, its different faculties (like departments), and smaller institutes. The most important group that makes decisions is called the Senate. They create the rules for the university. There's also a University Board of Directors that manages the university day-to-day.
In 2022, the University of Bern had 19,297 students. Many students were working on their first degrees (bachelor's programs) or their next degrees (master's programs). A good number were also studying for their PhDs, which are advanced research degrees. It's interesting to know that more than half of the students at the University of Bern are female!
Where the University Is
Unlike some universities that have one big campus outside a city, the University of Bern is spread out right within the city. Most of its buildings are in the Länggasse area, which is close to the city center. You can often walk between them.
Some parts of the university are even in cool, repurposed buildings! For example, the Faculty of Theology and some humanities institutes are in an old chocolate factory called the Unitobler. Another old building, once a women's hospital, is now the UniS, home to law and economics students. There's also a former factory called the vonRoll site that is being updated for human sciences and social sciences.
University History
Early Days: From School to Academy (1500–1834)
The University of Bern's story began a long time ago, in the 1500s. Back then, it was a school that trained new pastors. Later, in 1805, this school became an "academy" with four main study areas. This meant students could study not just theology, but also law and medicine.
Growing Up: The Old University (1834–1900)
In 1834, the academy officially became a university. It started with 45 teachers and 167 students. By the late 1800s, the number of students grew a lot, doubling from 500 to 1,000. This made the University of Bern the biggest university in Switzerland around 1900. Many students came from other countries, especially Germany and Russia. It was also Russian female students who helped women gain the right to study at the university in the 1870s.
New Buildings and Famous People (1900–1950)
As Bern grew, so did its university. In 1903, a new main building opened. Around this time, some very famous people were connected to the university. In 1908, Albert Einstein, a brilliant scientist, taught theoretical physics there. The next year, Anna Tumarkin became the first female professor in Europe who could supervise students' advanced research. Also in 1909, Theodor Kocher, a surgeon from Bern, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine!
Modern Times: Big Growth and Changes (1950–2000)
After World War II, more and more people wanted to go to university. The University of Bern grew quickly, reaching 5,000 students by 1968. This growth led to big changes. In 1996, the university became its own independent organization, rather than just a part of the government. By 1992, the university had 10,000 students!
Today's University: New Ways of Learning (Since 2000)
Since 2000, the university has adopted new ways of organizing studies, like the "Bologna Declaration." This brought in a system of credits (ECTS) and the bachelor's and master's degree structure we know today. The university also started focusing on important research areas like climate research.
What You Can Study
Main Study Areas (Faculties)
The University of Bern has eight main faculties, which are like big departments for different subjects:
- Theology (study of religion)
- Law
- Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine (Vetsuisse)
- Humanities (like history, languages, arts)
- Science (like biology, physics, chemistry)
- Human Sciences (like psychology, education, sports)
The medical faculties in Bern and Basel work together on some topics, like heart surgery. The Vetsuisse Faculty, for veterinary medicine, joined forces with the University of Zurich's program. The Humanities Faculty is similar to arts and sciences departments in other countries. The Human Sciences Faculty, started in 2005, offers programs in education, sports, and psychology.
Exciting Programs and Research
The University of Bern offers a huge variety of courses. You can choose from about 39 bachelor's programs, 71 master's programs, and many advanced study options.
Did you know that the Physics Institute at the University of Bern helped with the Apollo 11 mission, the first flight to the Moon? They still work on experiments and provide equipment for space missions by NASA and the ESA!
Beyond traditional subjects, the university also has unique programs like sports science and theatre studies. It's the only place in Switzerland where you can major in dance for your master's degree in theatre studies. They also offer a special master's program focused on how economics is used in the real world.
Special Centers
The university has several special centers that bring together different subjects to work on big ideas. For example, the Artificial Organ (ARTORG) Center works on biomedical engineering, which is about creating artificial body parts and medical devices.
Some centers focus on important global challenges like sustainability. The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) studies how to develop things in a way that protects our planet. The World Trade Institute (WTI) looks at how global trade can be fair and sustainable.
The Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) is a world leader in climate science. Their researchers have even helped write major reports for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is a big group that studies climate change for the United Nations.
The Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) is leading a European space project called CHEOPS. This space telescope will study planets outside our solar system to learn how they form!
University Rankings
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 101–150 (2023) |
| QS World | =126 (2024) |
| THE World | =116 (2024) |
| USNWR Global | 107 (2023) |
The University of Bern is considered one of the top universities in the world. It often ranks among the top 150 universities globally in different surveys. For example, in 2024, it was ranked 126th by QS World University Rankings.
Famous People from Bern University
Teachers and Researchers
Many amazing teachers and researchers have worked at the University of Bern.
- Anna Tumarkin was the first female professor in Europe who could supervise students' advanced research.
- Gabriel Gustav Valentin was the first Jewish professor to be chosen for a main teaching position at a German-speaking university.
- Theodor Oskar Rubeli helped start the world's first faculty for veterinary medicine.
- The work of physicist Hans Oeschger on ice cores was very important for starting climate research.
- Albert Einstein taught theoretical physics here.
- Emil Theodor Kocher, a surgeon, won the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Students (Alumni)
Many well-known people have studied at the University of Bern, including:
- Karl Barth – a famous theologian.
- Walter Benjamin – a philosopher and writer.
- Friedrich Dürrenmatt – a well-known writer.
- Emil Theodor Kocher – also studied here before becoming a Nobel Prize winner.
- Mani Matter – a popular singer-songwriter.
- Kurt Wüthrich – a chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002.
- Thomas Zurbuchen – a top astrophysicist at NASA.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Berna para niños
- List of largest universities by enrollment in Switzerland
- List of universities in Switzerland
